Underage DUI Penalties – Are They Less Severe?

Underage DUI Penalties – License Suspension and Fines

When it comes to getting a DUI, underage drivers are easily at most risk for the most severe punishments available. While they might not spend years in jail for an offense, there are many more consequences that are far worse for young drivers, including license suspension, fines, and even probation. Typically, most states have a law that any driver caught driving with a certain BAC (blood alcohol content) is considered to be driving under the influence. This rule, however, doesn’t always apply to juveniles and underage DUI penalties will vary based on a number of factors.

In California, anyone under the age of 21 that has a BAC of 0.01% can be charged with a DUI. If the driver has a BAC of 0.05% or higher, they can receive an underage DUI charge and an adult DUI charge from the same infraction, making them subject to arrest and jail time. A driver under 18 that is convicted of a DUI in California loses their license for one year, or until their 18th birthday. Typically, the court chooses whichever penalty is greater. Vehicles can be impounded when underage drivers are caught and charged with a DUI, which is one of the most expensive underage DUI penalties available.

Fines are a large part of underage DUI penalties. Drivers will often have to pay thousands of dollars in fines, vehicle repossession, and for license reinstatement once they have completed their punishment. If a driver refuses to submit to a breathalyzer test, they will immediately have their license suspended for one year because refusal of testing is seen as an admission of guilt in most cases. Chemical testing submission is critical to proving sobriety in underage DUI cases. Subsequent refusals may result in greater underage DUI penalties, including license suspension for up to 3 years if the offense is repeated within a 10 year period.

Underage DUI penalties are handed out by the DMV and the criminal court system simultaneously. The DMV is responsible for revoking or suspending licenses according to their laws or the court’s ruling, while the criminal court is responsible for imposing fines, probation, jail time, and other punishment including substance abuse classes. Underage DUI penalties within the social world are far worse than criminal penalties. For example, in the state of California, DUI offenders who are underage when charged must list their DUI on their college applications. This may or may not affect the acceptance of a student, and carries a social stigma of irresponsible behavior. It’s always best to avoid the situation by not drinking and driving, but if you are being charged with an underage DUI, you need a qualified attorney to help you with your case.

About the Author: Would you like more information about underage DUI penalties? Visit http://www.hallumLaw.com where you’ll find more information on underage DUI penalties, plea bargain DUI and other penalties for DUI.

Contact

We would love to hear from you! Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly.

Author: Santa Barbara Traffic Attorney Ken Hallum

Kenneth M. Hallum is a Santa Barbara traffic attorney with over 10 years experience in helping drivers in Santa Barbara win their case. Would you like to learn more about how Ken can help you win your traffic case? For more information and a case evaluation, call 805-564-3101. Visit the blog to learn more about Santa Barbara traffic attorney information, including traffic law, underage DUI penalties, penalties for a DUI, traffic attorney Santa Barbara charges, Santa Barbara attorney rates, Santa Barbara DUI statistics, drunk driver rights, plea bargain DUI info, traffic law conviction procedure and much more.

18 Comments

It is not just right but proper to punish individuals who are driving under the influence of alcohol because most of the vehicular accidents are caused by this,especially those who are driving under 18 years of age.By implementing these policies and punishments,vehicular accidents will be minimized.

I totally agree with this one. A lot is at stake when under-aged drivers are caught with DUI. It would be very difficult for them to get accepted in college or get a job. But then, this will remind every one how dangerous driving while intoxicated really is.

Underage DUI penalties are the toughest amongst all DUI penalties. California in particular have the strictest underage DUI laws. As pointed out in the article, it is absolutely essential to consult a qualified attorney if anyone is charged with an underage DUI penalty.

Underage DUI is a serious problem and it has to be eradicated. Many young people think that driving under influence is cool, which is wrong. If you are drunk and driving you pose threat to other conscientious drivers. Thanks Hallumlaw for raising such a burning issue here!

Through this informative article, underage drivers will be greatly aware on the consequences they might face in dealing with DUI charges. In fact, Underage DUI penalties are quite severe and expensive compared to regular DUI penalties. Hence, it is truly helpful that these underage drivers will seek reliable assistance from a reliable and efficient traffic lawyer just like Kenneth Hallum. Thank you for this reliable resource!

About Ken

Kenneth M. Hallum is a criminal defense lawyer, admitted to the California State Bar Association in 2004, and whose focus is on traffic law in California. As a private defense attorney, he has also served as a conflict public defender, and court appointed criminal defense attorney.

Kenneth M. Hallum is a criminal defense lawyer, admitted to the California State Bar Association in 2004, and whose focus is on traffic ticket law in California. As a private defense attorney, he has also served as a conflict public defender, and court appointed criminal defense attorney.